System for accurate location estimation of a water vessel

ABSTRACT

A system and a method are disclosed for enabling accurate estimation of a location of a water vessel. In an embodiment, a rescue system transmits a Short Message Service (SMS) message to a user device on the water vessel, the SMS message comprising a selectable option that, when selected, causes a location of the user device to be shared. Based on a selection by a user of the user device of the selectable option, the system receives a plurality of location coordinates from the user device at a plurality of respective times, each respective location coordinate describing a respective location of the user device at its respective time. The system computes an estimated location of the water vessel based on the plurality of location coordinates and an elapsed time between a current time and a time at which a last-received location coordinate was received. The system transmits the estimated location to a responder device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure generally relates to the field of locating a watervessel, and more specifically relates to near shore location tracking awater vessel.

BACKGROUND

While it is possible to locate users on land with a high level ofaccuracy, this is thanks to the benefit of multiple systems that worktogether to triangulate location, such as Global Positioning System(GPS), mobile cell towers, and additional sensors. This level ofaccuracy cannot be achieved off-shore because these systems do not existoff-shore. In order to have their locations tracked, larger watervessels have dedicated location technology that triggers a location tobe sent via satellite to a tracking tool periodically. However, theselocation tracking mechanisms are computationally and practicallyexpensive, and thus locations are sent infrequently (e.g., every 15minutes). Moreover, smaller water vessels typically do not havededicated tracking technology due to their expense. This results in ahampered ability to find users who may be in distress, thus resulting infailed rescue efforts where a distressed mariner cannot be found.

In modern times, most people, including mariners on board a watervessel, carry mobile phones that are capable of determining andtransmitting location information when within cell phone range (e.g.,within twenty miles from shore). However, when rescue is needed, even ifa water vessel is within cell phone range, a mariner does not know howto contact an agency responsible for rescuing distressed mariners (e.g.,the United States Coast Guard). This is because, unlike land rescue,where dialing 911 in the United States (and similar numbers globally) iswell known to connect a user to a local law enforcement agency, there isno established system for water rescue. This lack of infrastructureadditionally contributes to failed rescue efforts for distressedmariners. Even if a distressed mariner could figure out how to connectto a rescue agency, the rescue agency may have no means of locating themariner because the rescue agency may have no means of acquiring themariner's location. Moreover, the mariner may leave communicationscoverage (e.g., as a current carries the water vessel out of range),leaving the rescue agency with no recourse to contact the mariner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The disclosed embodiments have other advantages and features which willbe more readily apparent from the detailed description, the appendedclaims, and the accompanying figures (or drawings). A brief introductionof the figures is below.

Figure (FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a network environment forcomponents of a rescue system.

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of modules and a database used by arescue system.

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of modules and a database used by auser device.

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of modules and a database used by aresponder device.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating components of an example machineable to read instructions from a machine-readable medium and executethem in a processor (or controller).

FIG. 6A depicts a process for enabling accurate estimation of a locationof a water vessel, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 6B depicts a process for enabling assignment of a responder unit toa user on a water vessel, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 7A depicts a message user interface on a user device, in accordancewith an embodiment.

FIG. 7B depicts a mobile browser user interface on a user device, inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 7C depicts a pop up mobile browser user interface on a user device,in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 8 depicts a user interface on a responder device, in accordancewith an embodiment.

FIG. 9 depicts an assignment of a responder unit to a user on a watervessel, in accordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The Figures (FIGS.) and the following description relate to preferredembodiments by way of illustration only. It should be noted that fromthe following discussion, alternative embodiments of the structures andmethods disclosed herein will be readily recognized as viablealternatives that may be employed without departing from the principlesof what is claimed.

Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments, examples ofwhich are illustrated in the accompanying figures. It is noted thatwherever practicable similar or like reference numbers may be used inthe figures and may indicate similar or like functionality. A letterafter a reference numeral, such as “120 a” indicates the text refersspecifically to the element having that particular reference numeral. Areference numeral in the text without a following letter, such as “120”refers to any or all of the elements in the figures bearing thatreference numeral (e.g., “120” in the text refers to reference numerals“120 a” and/or “120 b” in the figures). The term “real-time” in the textis used merely for convenience, and could encompass substantiallyreal-time (i.e., within a threshold amount of time of the eventoccurring). The figures depict embodiments of the disclosed system (ormethod) for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art willreadily recognize from the following description that alternativeembodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may beemployed without departing from the principles described herein.

Configuration Overview

In an embodiment, a dedicated number for receiving a simple messageservice (SMS) message from a distressed mariner (e.g., “20911”) may beused to initiate rescue proceedings for the mariner. SMS messages areuseful in such situations because they require less data than otherforms of communication and can be successfully transmitted and receivedeven with a poor connection. An authorization link may be sent by arescue agency in an SMS message responsive to a distress message, theauthorization link enabling location sharing from the mariner's mobiledevice, even where a poor connection exists. Where location sharing endsbecause a mariner goes dark (e.g., boat of the distressed mariner driftsout of a communication range or the mariner's device fails), the systemsand methods disclosed herein are able to find the right rescue agency,and to predict where the boat may be based on the location data pointsalready received from the distressed mariner and perhaps otherenvironmental factors (e.g., current and weather information).

One embodiment of a disclosed system, method and computer readablestorage medium includes enabling accurate estimation of a location of awater vessel. The rescue system transmits a Short Message Service (SMS)message to a user device on the water vessel, the SMS message includinga selectable option that, when selected, causes a location of the userdevice to be shared. Based on a selection by a user of the user deviceof the selectable option, the system receives a plurality of locationcoordinates from the user device at a plurality of respective times,each respective location coordinate describing a respective location ofthe user device at its respective time. The system computes an estimatedlocation of the water vessel based on the plurality of locationcoordinates and an elapsed time between a current time and a time atwhich a last-received location coordinate was received. The systemtransmits the estimated location to a responder device.

In an embodiment of the disclosed system, method and computer readablestorage medium includes enabling assignment of a responder unit to auser on a water vessel. The rescue system transmits a Short MessageService (SMS) message to a user device on the water vessel, the SMSmessage comprising a selectable option that, when selected, causes alocation of the user device to be shared. Based on a selection by a userof the user device of the selectable option, the system receives aplurality of location coordinates from the user device at a plurality ofrespective times, each respective location coordinate describing arespective location of the user device at its respective time. Thesystem selects a responder unit to assign to the user based on theplurality of location coordinates and a location of each of a pluralityof candidate responder units. The system transmits location informationto a responder device of the selected responder unit, the locationinformation based on the plurality of location coordinates.

Rescue System Environment

Figure (FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a network environment forcomponents of a rescue system. Environment 100 includes user device 110,network 115, responder devices 120, and rescue system 130. The userdevice 110 and responder devices 120 may be referred to as clientdevices. Though there is only one user device 110 and two responderdevices 120 a and 120 b shown in FIG. 1, other embodiments may use adifferent number of client devices of either type. These variouscomponents are now described in additional detail.

User device 110 is a client device of a user of a water vessel. A watervessel refers to any vehicle used in water capable of transporting oneor more persons. A water vessel may be engine powered (e.g., motorboat),may be propelled partly or entirely by sails (e.g., sailboat), orunpowered or man-powered (e.g., raft, kayak, etc.). Responder device 120is a client device associated with a responder unit. A responder unitrefers to an organized group of persons (e.g., first responders trainedto respond to an emergency) which services a particular area (e.g.,different coast guard stations). The term client device refers to acomputing device such as a mobile phone (e.g., cellular phone,smartphone), tablet, laptop, computer, or any other device that caninteract with the rescue system 130 over network 115 consistent with theinteractions described herein for the type of the client device.

Network 115 may be any suitable communications network for datatransmission. In an embodiment such as that illustrated in FIG. 1,network 115 uses standard communications technologies and/or protocolsand can include the Internet. In another embodiment, the entities usecustom and/or dedicated data communications technologies. Network 115connects user device 110 and responder devices 120 (or any number ofclient devices, in other embodiments) to the rescue system 130 such thatthe user device 110, the responder devices 120, and rescue system 130can transmit data back and forth. Although not shown, the network 115may also connect any other third party device that may transmitinformation to the rescue system 130 which could be used by the rescuesystem 130 in relation to the user device 110 and the responder device130. For example, a third party device may transmit user information(e.g., phone number, etc.) associated with the user of the user device110, or additional information about the current environmentalconditions surrounding the user device 110 or about location informationof the user device 110 to help location estimation.

Rescue system 130 facilitates activity relating to accurately estimatinga location of the user device 110 on the water vessel and assigning aresponder unit of a responder device to the user of the user device.Further details relating to such activities are described throughoutwith reference to FIGS. 2-9 below.

Rescue System Configuration

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of modules and a database used by arescue system. Rescue system 130 includes I/O interface module 210, theuser interface manager module 215, scheduler module 220, locationestimator module 225, machine learning module 230, drone manager module235, assignment manager module 240, and data store 265. The modules anddatabases depicted with respect to rescue system 130 are merelyexemplary; fewer or more modules or databases may be used to effect theprocesses described herein.

The I/O (input/output) interface module 210 interfaces with the networkto communicate with the user device 110 and the responder devices 120.The I/O interface 210 module transmits information to and receivesinformation from the client devices. The information may be a ShortMessage Service (SMS) message, a plurality of location coordinates fromclient devices, a web page from the rescue system 130, or instructionsfor a drone.

The user interface manager module 215 generates information for displayon a client device. The information may be information in an SMS message(e.g., FIG. 7A) or a web page (e.g., FIGS. 7B-C) for display on a userdevice 110. The information may be information in a web page for displayon a responder device 120 (e.g., FIG. 8).

The scheduler module 220 schedules when an estimated location should becomputed. For example, where a location of a water vessel is receiveddue to a user sharing a location of their mobile device, there is noneed to estimate a location because an actual location is received.However, if the data connection lapses for some time, the location ofthe water vessel may need to be estimated. The scheduler module 220 maycompute an elapsed time between a current time and a time at which alast-received location coordinate was received by the rescue system 130.If the elapsed time exceeds a threshold amount of time, the schedulermodule 220 may trigger the location estimator module 225 to estimate alocation of the user device 110. The threshold time indicates when anupdated estimated location of the water vessel should be computed. Thethreshold time may be a predetermined setting. For example, it may be atypical situation that a user device 110 begins transmitting itslocation information in real-time or substantially real-time (e.g.,every few seconds), and the threshold time may be set to a smallinterval (e.g., couple of seconds, a minute) as a default setting.

In some embodiments, the scheduler module 220 may determine a thresholdtime based on a frequency of receiving the location coordinates. Forexample, the rescue system 130 may be programmed to estimate and providean updated location responsive to determining that the user device 110has stopped transmitting location information. In one scenario, a mobiledevice of a user may be programmed to share its location informationresponsive to detecting a movement or change in location of a boat. Theboat may be disabled and in an area without much current or wind so theboat location does not change frequently. In this scenario, the mobiledevice would be sharing its location less frequently, and the schedulermodule 220 may determine a threshold time based on the frequency thatlocation information is received (e.g., if receiving locationinformation once every ten minutes, set threshold time to a time greaterthan ten minutes). However, if wind or current has picked up and causesthe boat to move at a moderate pace, the mobile device beginstransmitting location information more frequently, but less thanreal-time. In this scenario, the scheduler 220 may adjust the thresholdtime according to the updated frequency of receiving locationinformation (e.g., if receiving location information once a minute, setthreshold time to be greater or equal to one minute). Continuing withthis example, a determined threshold time may be one minute. The rescuesystem 130 may receive location coordinates at 2:15 pm, 2:16 pm, . . .to 2:32 pm, and then not receive additional location coordinates. At2:34 pm, the scheduler module 220 determines an elapsed time as being 2minutes (current time 2:34 pm minus the last received message at 2:32pm) and triggers the location estimator module 225 to compute anestimated location of the user device 110 as the elapsed time is greaterthan the one minute threshold time.

In some embodiments, the scheduler module 220 may compute a thresholdtime based on a determined speed of the water vessel or environmentalfactors. Environmental factors may include measured data of theenvironment surrounding the user device 110 such as wind or currentspeed and direction which could affect the motion of a water vessel. Inone example, the mobile device of a user on a boat may be transmittingits location coordinates in real-time and suddenly go dark (e.g., stoptransmitting its location coordinates). If the boat is disabled (e.g.,speed is slow or nonexistent) and there is little wind or current, theremay not be a need to immediately estimate an updated location of theboat. The threshold time may be set to a higher value than a few secondsor minutes (e.g., default setting or based on frequency of receivedlocation information). The scheduler module 220 may determine or adjustthe threshold value accordingly. The scheduler module 220 may set athreshold time to a higher value for a user device 110 on a water vesselwith a slower speed than one with a faster speed. Continuing with theexample of the disabled boat, if the rescue system 130 receivesinformation about environmental factors that a wind or a current speedhas increased, there may be a need to estimate a location of the boatsooner than later as it is likely the boat's position has changed. Thescheduler module 220 may determine or adjust the threshold valueaccordingly. The scheduler module 220 may set a threshold time to alower value for a user device 110 on a water vessel with a highercurrent or wind speed than one with a lower current or wind speed.

The location estimator module 225 estimates a location of the watervessel based on the plurality of location coordinates from the userdevice 110. The location estimator module 225 may determine a speed anda direction of the water vessel from the location coordinates andcompute an estimated distance traveled (speed x elapsed time fromlast-received location coordinate) in the determined direction. Thespeed and the direction of the water vessel may also be based on one ormore environmental factors such as a current (water) speed and directionmeasurement or a wind speed and direction measurement. For example, thewater vessel may drift due to the water current and wind, and anestimated speed of the water vessel may be based on measured currentspeed/direction and a measured wind speed/direction. The locationestimator module 225 may input the plurality of location coordinatesand/or the one or more environmental factors into a machine learningmodel 230 and receive an estimated location of the water vessel as anoutput from the machine learning module 230. The location estimatormodule 225 may estimate the location of the water vessel at a currenttime or at a future time.

In some embodiments, the location may be estimated by using machinelearning. The rescue system 130 optionally includes a machine learningmodel 230. The machine learning model 230 may be trained usinghistorical data collected by the rescue system 130. For example, therescue system 130 may have access to historical data due to previousrescue efforts, of received location information from user devices,additional location information, environmental factors, and actuallocation of user devices after a responder has reached the water vessel.This information can be used to train the machine learning model 230 tooutput a probability that the user device 110 is at each of a set ofseveral coordinates (or within a range or radius of a given coordinate).The machine learning module 230 may be used by the location estimatormodule 225 to generate a projected location based on inputs such as aplurality of location coordinates from the user device 110, otheradditional location information, and one or more environmental factors.For example, the output of the machine learning module 230 may be aprobability that the user device 110 is at each of a set of severallocation coordinates, and the location estimator module 225 may use thisoutput to determine an estimated location and an uncertainty radiuswhich indicates a field that the mariner is likely within. The locationestimator module 225 may select an estimated location coordinate fromthe set of several location coordinates, the estimated locationcoordinate having the highest probability among the set, and determinean uncertainty radius based on the corresponding probability (e.g.,lower probability would correspond to a higher uncertainty radius).

In some embodiments, unmanned vehicles (e.g., unmanned aerial or watervehicles, collectively referred to as “drones”) may be used to aidrescue efforts, where drones are sent ahead of manned rescue vehicles toconfirm a location of a distressed mariner. For example, a drone can goover the scene a broadcast captured images or video from the scene sothe responder has more information about the scene. A drone may haveinfrared sensing capabilities to pick up heat signature of a user in awater vessel to locate the user device 110. The drone can fly by acertain perimeter of the scene to look for an infrared signal, and thedrone can transmit a message responsive to finding an infrared signal toindicate the user device 110 has been located. The drone manager module235 generates instructions for a drone. The instructions may include tolaunch a drone to a target destination and to scan a radius from thetarget destination. The target destination may be an estimated locationof the user device 110 at a future projected time. For example, thelocation of the user device 110 on a water vessel may change from thetime a drone is launched to the time it reaches its target destination.the drone manager module 235 may request from the location estimatormodule 225 to estimate a location of the user device 110 at a futureprojected time based on the travel time for a drone to travel to atarget destination. The location estimator module 225 may predict thelocation of the user device 110 at a future time based on the expectedtravel time of the drone (e.g., determined by speed, flight path) toreach its destination. The target destination may be a last-receivedlocation coordinate of the user device 110 or an estimated location ofthe user device 110. The drone manager module 235 may generateadditional instructions for a drone to update the target destination asa location of the user device 110 as the location changes with time.

In one embodiment, the rescue system 130 may receive additional datathat indicating the user device 110 is within a threshold distance of amobile cell tower. For example, the mobile cell tower may be a createdcell tower on a responder water vessel. The created cell tower mayindicate to the rescue system 130 that the responder water vesselreceived a ping from a mobile device of the user, and the rescue system130 may determine that the mobile device is within a threshold distancethat is the reach of the created cell tower. The created cell tower mayhave additional information, such as a signal strength of the mobiledevice to the created cell tower. In this scenario, the rescue system130 may determine the mobile device to be within a threshold distancebased on the signal strength (e.g., stronger signal strength indicatesmobile device is closer to created cell tower). The drone manager module235 may generate instructions to launch a drone to the location of themobile cell tower and for the drone to scan an area within the thresholddistance of the mobile cell tower.

The assignment manager module 240 assigns a responder unit of aresponder device 120 to a user of the user device 110. The assignmentmanager module 240 selects the responder unit to assign to the userbased on the plurality of location coordinates from the user device 110and a location of each of a plurality of candidate responder unit. Thelocation of the candidate responder unit may be based on a fixed addressof a corresponding headquarters of the responder unit. The location ofthe candidate responder unit may be based on received locationcoordinates from a corresponding responder device 120 of the candidateresponder unit. For example, the assignment manager module 240 mayselect the responder unit closest to the location coordinates of theuser device 110 based either on the location of the responder unit'sheadquarters or a received location from a responder device 120 (e.g.,mobile phone of a first responder on duty) of the responder unit. Theassignment manager module 240 may store an association of the userdevice 110 and the assigned responder device 120 in the data store 265.The assignment manager module 240 may establish a communication channelbetween the responder device to the user device. Responsive to therescue system 130 receiving future communications from the user device110, the assignment manager module 240 may reestablish the communicationchannel to the responder device 120 based on the association. In oneembodiment, the assignment manager module 240 may assign a responderunit to a user based on location information (e.g., entered locationcoordinates, city and/or state, proximity to a known location, etc.)provided from a user of the user device 110 from SMS messages, textinput in a textbox on a mobile browser, or from oral responses of a userfrom a phone call, etc.

The data store 265 stores information used by the rescue system 130. Theinformation may include a plurality of responder units, correspondingaddresses, and corresponding phone numbers or virtual addresses forcommunicating with devices or accounts of responders and/or responderunits. The information may include an association between the userdevice 110 and a responder device 120 of a selected responder unit.

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of modules and database used by a userdevice. User device 110 includes I/O interface module 310, the userinterface manager module 315, settings manager module 320, sensors 325,location manager module 330, and data store 365. The modules anddatabases depicted with respect to user device 110 are merely exemplary;fewer or more modules or databases may be used to effect the processesdescribed herein.

The I/O interface module 310 interfaces with the network 115 tocommunicate with the rescue system 130 and optionally the responderdevice 120. The I/O interface module 310 can transmit information to andreceive information from the rescue system 130 and the responder device120. The information may be a Short Message Service (SMS) message, aplurality of location coordinates from the user device 110, or a webpage from the rescue system 130.

The user interface manager module 315 presents information on the userdevice 110. In some embodiments, the user interface manager module 315presents on a user device 110 an SMS message from the rescue system 130with a selectable option requesting the user to share a location of theuser device 110. For example, a mariner is in distress and texts amessage “SOS” on his mobile device to a number (e.g., “20911”), and therescue system 130 transmits the SMS to the mobile phone of the mariner.In some embodiments, the user interface module 315 presents an interfaceof a pre-installed application which includes a selectable option toshare a location of the user. For example, prior to a mariner embarkingon a water journey, the mariner installed an application his mobiledevice to use in the event he needs help on the water. The marinerlaunches the pre-installed an application once he is in distress, andthe application interface includes a location share or distress buttonfor the mariner to share his location. The user interface manager module315 may present on a user device 110 a website of the rescue system 130.The website may include a graphical representation of the coast guardemblem.

The settings manager module 320 manages the settings for the user device110. The settings manager module 320 may update a setting for the userdevice 110 to share location information responsive to a user selectingan option to share a location of the user device 110. The settingsmanager module 320 may enable a setting for the user device 110 tocontinually transmit location information, regardless of whether aconfirmation response is received. The settings manager module 320 mayenable a setting for the user device 110 to transmit locationinformation responsive to the user device 110 determining a location ofthe user device 110 has changed (e.g., via the location manager 330).The settings manager module 320 may update a setting for the user device110 to stop sharing location information responsive to a user selectingan option to stop sharing a location of the user device 110.

The sensors 325 detect at least one of motion, an environmentalcondition, position, or some combination thereof. The sensors 325 mayinclude a motion sensor to detect motion, rotation, or acceleration.Examples of a motion sensor are an accelerometer, gravity sensor,gyroscope, or rotational vector sensors. The sensors 325 may include anenvironmental sensor to measure air pressure changes, humidity,temperature, etc. Examples of an environmental sensor are a barometer,photometer, or thermometer. The sensors 325 may include a positionsensor such as a magnetometer to measure orientation of the device(e.g., true North). The user device 110 may transmit data captured bythe sensors 325 (in addition to its location information) to the rescuesystem 130 when a share location option is selected by the user on theuser device 110. The transmitted data captured from the sensors 325 canbe used by the rescue system 130 as environmental factors (e.g., inputto machine learning model, scheduling estimated location updates,estimating location).

The location manager module 330 determines a location of the user device110. The location manager may determine a location of the user deviceusing any location mechanisms available to the user device 110 such asGPS, Assisted GPS (AGPS), Wi-Fi, and cellular location. The locationmanager module 330 may use a network infrastructure of the user device110 to determine the location of the user device 110. For example, theuser device 110 may be a mobile phone which sends signals to nearby celltowers that can be used to triangulate the location of the mobile phone.The location manager module 330 may use GPS to determine the location ofthe user device 110. For example, if a mobile phone is equipped with GPSit can connect with GPS satellites to determine its location. Thelocation manager module 330 may also determine the location usinginformation from the sensors 325.

The data store 365 stores information for the user device 110. Thisinformation may include device settings of the user device 110.

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of modules and database used by aresponder device. Responder device 120 includes I/O interface module410, the user interface manager module 415, location manager module 420,sensors 425, and data store 465. The data store 465 stores informationused by the responder device 120. The modules and databases depictedwith respect to responder device 120 are merely exemplary; fewer or moremodules or databases may be used to effect the processes describedherein.

The I/O interface module 410 interfaces with the network 115 tocommunicate with the rescue system 130 and optionally the user device110. The I/O interface module 410 can transmit information to andreceive information from the rescue system 130 and the user device 110.The information may be a Short Message Service (SMS) message, aplurality of location coordinates from the user device 110, a pluralityof location coordinates from the responder device 120, a web page fromthe rescue system 130, or instructions for a drone.

The user interface manager module 415 presents information on theresponder device 120. The user interface module 415 may be similar tothe user interface module 315 except it is for a responder device 120.

The location manager module 420 determines a location of the responderdevice 120. The location manager module 420 may be similar to thelocation manager module 330 of the user device 110 except it is for theresponder device 120.

The responder device 120 may include sensors 425. In one example, theresponder device 120 is a mobile phone, the sensors 425 are similar tothe sensors 325 of the user device 110 except they are for the responderdevice 120.

Computing Machine Architecture

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating components of an example machineable to read instructions from a machine-readable medium and executethem in a processor (or controller). Specifically, FIG. 5 shows adiagrammatic representation of a machine in the example form of acomputer system 500 within which program code (e.g., software) forcausing the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein may be executed. The program code may be comprised ofinstructions 524 executable by one or more processors 502. Inalternative embodiments, the machine operates as a standalone device ormay be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines. In a networkeddeployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server machineor a client machine in a server-client network environment, or as a peermachine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

The machine may be a server computer, a client computer, a personalcomputer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a personal digitalassistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, a smartphone, a web appliance, anetwork router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executinginstructions 524 (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to betaken by that machine. Further, while only a single machine isillustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken to include anycollection of machines that individually or jointly execute instructions624 to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

The example computer system 500 includes a processor 502 (e.g., acentral processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), adigital signal processor (DSP), one or more application specificintegrated circuits (ASICs), one or more radio-frequency integratedcircuits (RFICs), or any combination of these), a main memory 504, and astatic memory 506, which are configured to communicate with each othervia a bus 508. The computer system 500 may further include visualdisplay interface 510. The visual interface may include a softwaredriver that enables displaying user interfaces on a screen (or display).The visual interface may display user interfaces directly (e.g., on thescreen) or indirectly on a surface, window, or the like (e.g., via avisual projection unit). For ease of discussion the visual interface maybe described as a screen. The visual interface 510 may include or mayinterface with a touch enabled screen. The computer system 500 may alsoinclude alphanumeric input device 512 (e.g., a keyboard or touch screenkeyboard), a cursor control device 514 (e.g., a mouse, a trackball, ajoystick, a motion sensor, or other pointing instrument), a storage unit516, a signal generation device 518 (e.g., a speaker), and a networkinterface device 520, which also are configured to communicate via thebus 508.

The storage unit 516 includes a machine-readable medium 522 on which isstored instructions 524 (e.g., software) embodying any one or more ofthe methodologies or functions described herein. The instructions 524(e.g., software) may also reside, completely or at least partially,within the main memory 504 or within the processor 502 (e.g., within aprocessor's cache memory) during execution thereof by the computersystem 500, the main memory 504 and the processor 502 also constitutingmachine-readable media. The instructions 524 (e.g., software) may betransmitted or received over a network 526 via the network interfacedevice 520.

While machine-readable medium 522 is shown in an example embodiment tobe a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” should be takento include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized ordistributed database, or associated caches and servers) able to storeinstructions (e.g., instructions 524). The term “machine-readablemedium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable ofstoring instructions (e.g., instructions 524) for execution by themachine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies disclosed herein. The term “machine-readable medium”includes, but not be limited to, data repositories in the form ofsolid-state memories, optical media, and magnetic media.

Example Use Case—Accurate Estimation of a Location of a Water Vessel

The above-described components of the rescue system 130 enable a systemto accurately estimate a location of a water vessel. In one example, theresponder is made aware that a water vessel is in distress and obtains aphone number of a person on the water vessel. For example, a responderreceives a notification that a person (e.g., user associated with a userdevice) on a water vessel is in distress (e.g., phone call from the useror from friends or family of the user). The responder navigates to awebsite of the rescue system 130 via a responder device 120 and logs into the website of the rescue system 130 with credentials (e.g., emailand password). The rescue system 130 transmits, to the responder device120, instructions to display a request for a phone number of the user indistress along with a selectable option to locate the device associatedwith the phone number of the user. The responder device 120 may presentthe request in a web browser as a web page including a single inputfield for a mobile phone number along with a locate button in a userinterface. The responder can enter the user's phone number into thefield and press the locate button on the user interface of the responderdevice 120. Responsive to the rescue system 130 receiving the user'sphone number from the responder device 120, the rescue system 130transmits an SMS message for display on the user device 110 of the userfrom a 5-digit short code or 10-digit long code. In a different example,the SMS message may be transmitted responsive to a user's direct requestfor help to the rescue system 130 (e.g., user texts “SOS” to a rescuenumber such as “20911”). For example, the water vessel may have areflective sticker by the steering wheel on the water vessel indicatingthat in case of an emergency, tune to a particular VHF channel or text20911. In another example, the SMS message may be transmitted responsiveto the rescue system 130 determining the user may need assistance basedon earlier received information about the user. For example, the userpre-registers his phone number with a rental boat company for ascheduled time, and the information is received by the rescue system 130(e.g., information is sent by the boat company or user device 110). Therescue system 130 may determine that the user does not return the rentalboat on time and automatically transmit the SMS message to the user'smobile device to ask if the user is ok, and if not, to select a link(e.g., launch web page, to share location). The use of an SMS message isnon-limiting, and the rescue system 130 may communicate this informationwith the user device 110 by other means, such as email, data messagingsystems, or other applications, etc.

FIG. 6A depicts a process for enabling accurate estimation of a locationof a water vessel, in accordance with an embodiment. Process 600 beginswith rescue system 130 transmitting 602 an SMS message to a user device110 on a water vessel, the SMS message comprising a selectable optionthat, when selected, causes a location of the user device 110 to beshared. For example, the user device 110 is a mobile phone, and the SMSmessage includes a link to launch a URL in a mobile browser. Aftertapping the link, the user may be presented with an additional prompt bya mobile browser of the user device 110 to consent to share devicelocation. In some instances, the user may have disabled GPS or LocationServices on their mobile device. The rescue system 130 detects theoperating system (such as iOS or Android) via the website and transmitstailored instructions on how to enable location services on theirparticular user device 110. In some embodiments, GPS cannot be obtainedfrom the phone (e.g., because the user does not enable locationservices), and the rescue system 130 may transmit instructions to theuser device 110 for the user on how to enable GPS.

Based on a selection by a user of the user device 110 of the selectableoption, the rescue system 130 receives 604 a plurality of locationcoordinates from the user device 110 at a plurality of respective times,each respective location coordinate describing a respective location ofthe user device 110 at its respective time. For example, after the userselects an option on the mobile browser of the user device 110 to allowthe rescue system 130 to access the current location of the user device110, the user device 110 transmits the location coordinates to therescue system 130. The user device 110 may utilize all availablelocation mechanisms available to it, such as GPS, AGPS, Wi-Fi, andcellular location to determine the location coordinates. The user device110 may establish a web socket connection between the user's mobilebrowser of the user device 110 and the rescue system 130. The userdevice 110 may transmit location information in real-time (or nearreal-time) to the rescue system 130, or the user device 110 may transmitlocation coordinates when the user device 110 detects a change inposition (e.g., multiple times per second, every few seconds, minutes,etc. when movement is detected by user device 110). The rescue system130 receives the location coordinates from the user device 110 and maytransmit the location coordinates to the responder device 120 to allowthe responder to observe the real-time movement of the water vessel.

The rescue system 130 computes 606, an estimated location of the watervessel based on the plurality of location coordinates and an elapsedtime between a current time and a time at which a last-received locationcoordinate was received. The rescue system 130 may determine the userdevice 110 has stopped transmitting location coordinates for more than athreshold period of time, and estimate a location of the user device 110at a current time.

The rescue system 130 transmits 608 the estimated location to aresponder device 120. The rescue system 130 may include instructions fordisplaying the estimated location on a map of a user interface on aresponder device 120.

Example Use Case—Assignment of a Water Vessel to Responder Unit

The above-described components of the rescue system 130 enableassignment of a water vessel to a responder unit. In one example, theuser device 110 may have transmitted a distress SMS message (e.g., textto “20911”) comprising a payload including a symbol predefined ascorresponding to a request for help (e.g., “SOS”). Responsive toreceiving the distress SMS message from the user device 110, the rescuesystem 130 transmits an SMS for display on the user device 110 of theuser from a 5-digit short code (e.g., “20911”) or 10-digit long code. Insome embodiments, the rescue system 130 may give the user an inputoption (e.g., launch text box in a mobile browser, or in SMS text) sothat the user can input their location information and/or otherinformation. The user may describe their location, for example, in thetext box and submit the location information (e.g., hit send) to theresponder device. The location information input from the user can be alatitude and longitude from the boat (e.g., user may enter in locationcoordinates from another GPS device on the water vessel), a descriptiveindicator (e.g., ten miles west from a particular known geographicallocation). The user device 110 may be presented with a two way chatoption to call a responder device 120 (e.g., a particular coast guardstation, or a responder of a responder device 120), the two-way chatoption including a text box for free-form typing. The responder device120 may reply to the user device 110 that they received the location ofthe user, and that they are responding to the call or will be there inan estimated time. In some embodiments, the user may call or text aphone number to request help. The user may be presented by the rescuesystem 130 with a series of prompts or questions from a phone call orthrough text messaging, such as requesting the state that the user isclosest to on the water vessel, and subsequently requesting the citythat the user is closest to on his water vessel. These series ofprompts/questions may provide information to narrow down which responderunit the user is closest to, and match the user device 110 to aresponder unit (e.g., particular coast guard station, responder of aresponder device). For example, the United States Coast Guard hasdifferent sector commands that covers different territories. Theinformation provided by the user, such as a state and/or a city, may beenough information to locate the closest United States Coast Guardsector, to connect the user to the appropriate responder unit. In anembodiment, where the user device 110 calls a responder device 120, theresponder device 120 may automatically detect an address (e.g., phonenumber) of user device 110 and may transmit an SMS message to the userdevice 110 that includes a prompt to share location with the responderdevice 120.

FIG. 6B depicts a process for enabling assignment of a responder unit toa user on a water vessel, in accordance with an embodiment. Process 650begins with rescue system 130 transmitting 652 an SMS message to a userdevice 110 on a water vessel, the SMS message comprising a selectableoption that, when selected, causes a location of the user device 110 tobe shared. Based on a selection by a user of the user device 110 of theselectable option, the rescue system 130 receives 654 a plurality oflocation coordinates from the user device at a plurality of respectivetimes, each respective location coordinate describing a respectivelocation of the user device at its respective time. The rescue system130 selects 656, a responder unit to assign to the user based on theplurality of location coordinates and a location of each of a pluralityof candidate responder units. The rescue system 130 transmits 658location information to a responder device 120 of the selected responderunit, the location information based on the plurality of locationcoordinates. The location information may be the plurality of locationcoordinates from the user device 110 or at least one of the plurality oflocation coordinates from the user device 110 (e.g., a last receivedlocation coordinate). The location information may be an estimatedlocation of the user device 110. The rescue system 130 may determine theuser device 110 has stopped transmitting location coordinates for morethan a threshold period of time, and estimate a location of the userdevice 110 at a current time.

Responsive to the responder unit being assigned, the rescue system 130may send a predetermined message to the user on behalf of the responderunit (e.g., “We've received your location. Help is on the way.” or “Turnyour VHF radio to Channel _.”) The rescue system 130 may provide atwo-way chat interface to the responder over SMS and the user over SMSso the user device 110 and the responder device 120 can communicate overtext. If a cellular voice connection is available, the rescue system 130may provide the user with a link on a web page to dial the assignedresponder via phone. The rescue system 130 may provide the responderdevice 120 with capability to receive the call via the web browser ofthe rescue system 130 on the responder device 120.

Example User Device Interface

FIG. 7A depicts a message user interface on a user device, in accordancewith an embodiment. The message user interface displays an SMS messageon a user device 110 which is a mobile phone. The SMS message is fromthe rescue system 130 and includes a selectable option that, whenselected, causes a location of the user device 110 to be shared. In thisexample, the selectable option is to open a link to share the user'slocation. The SMS message may include information such as a report wasreceived that the user may be in distress, and instructions that if theuser has a VHF Marine Radio, to tune it to a particular channel.

FIG. 7B depicts a mobile browser user interface on a user device, inaccordance with an embodiment. The mobile browser interface displays aweb page of the rescue system 130 to the user of the user device 110which is a mobile phone. Continuing with the example of FIG. 7A, afterthe user selects (e.g., taps) the link, the user device 110 opens amobile browser and navigates to a web page of the rescue system 130. Themobile browser includes a selectable option to share the user's location(e.g., “Share My Location” button).

FIG. 7C depicts a pop up user interface on the user device, inaccordance with an embodiment. Continuing with the example of FIG. 7B,after the mobile browser navigates to the web page of the rescue system130 and a user selects the selectable option on the web page, the userdevice 110 may launch a pop up user interface to indicate that therescue system 130 would like access to the current location of the userdevice 110. In some embodiments, the pop up user interface mayautomatically launch after the mobile browser navigates to the web pagewithout the user selecting the selectable option on the web page.

Example Responder Device Interface

FIG. 8 depicts a user interface on the responder device, in accordancewith an embodiment. The user interface may be a web browser of theresponder device 120 which displays a web page of the rescue system 130.The user interface on the responder device 120 includes a map with theestimated location of the user device 110 marked on the map. The userinterface may also include information on the latest location of theuser device 110 in a format of Latitude/Longitude,Degrees/Minutes/Seconds (DMS), Decimal Degree Minutes (DDM), anuncertainty radius, information regarding a Date/Time stamp indicatinglocations as they are received by the rescue system 130, a phone statusof the user (e.g., did user tap link to share location, is the user'smobile browser open, etc.), and an estimated location of the user device110.

The rescue system 130 may transmit location coordinates from the userdevice 110 as they are received to the responder device 120 to allowreal-time update of the location of the user device 110 on its userinterface. The rescue system 130 may enable the responder device 120 todisplay multiple previously transmitted location coordinates from theuser device 110 (e.g., collected location data), along with an estimatedcurrent location of the user device 110.

Example Assignment of Responder Unit to User

FIG. 9 depicts an assignment of a responder unit to a user on a watervessel, in accordance with an embodiment. A boat 910 has a passengerthat is a user with a user device 110. A user device 110 transmits itslocation coordinates to a rescue system 130. The rescue system 130determines that the location of the user device 110 is closer to anaddress of a responder unit 920 than the responder unit 922. The rescuesystem 130 assigns the user to the responder unit 920. The responderunit 920 has a corresponding phone number, and the rescue system 130 mayconnect the user directly with a dispatcher of the responder unit 920.In another example, responder devices 120 (e.g., mobile phones) areassociated respectively with responder units 920 and 922. The responderdevices 120 may transmit location coordinates that are received by therescue system 130 which are used to assign the user in the boat 910 to aresponder unit based on the received location coordinates of theresponder device 120 that is closest to the boat 910.

Example Drone Use

The rescue system 130 may enable the responder 120 to launch a drone toa location or estimated location of the user device. For example, therescue system 130 may transmit information to a responder device 120 toenable a responder to launch a drone. The information may beinstructions for a user interface of a responder unit 120 to display aselectable option to launch a drone. The drone may be launched from awater vessel (e.g., boat of responder, other water vessel, etc.) or fromshore. A technical advantage of being launched from a water vessel isthat the drone may have a limited fly time because of batteryconstraints, and the water vessel may be closer to a location orestimated location of the user device. Moreover, resources in poweringthe drone are conserved where the responder unit 120 does not need tolaunch the drone (e.g., where the estimated location of the user deviceis accurate, and where the responder 120 thus found the boat 910 and didnot need to launch the drone).

FIG. 9 also depicts an example use of a drone. A user device 110 in theboat 910 (e.g., water vessel) is within a threshold distance of the celltower 930 (e.g., within cell tower range 940). In this example, the userdevice 110 cannot determine its own location coordinates to transmit tothe cell tower 930, but the rescue system 130 determines that the userdevice 110 is within the threshold distance of the cell tower 930. Therescue system 130 may generate drone instructions for a drone to scan atarget area (e.g., cell tower range 940, or a radius from the locationof the cell tower 930) to locate the user device 110. Since a portion ofthe cell tower range 940 is in a water region 950 and the boat is in thewater region 950, the rescue system 130 may further limit the scan areato be an area of the cell tower range 940 that overlaps with a waterregion 950.

In another example, a user device 110 in the boat 910 may be able todetermine its location coordinates and transmit its location coordinatesto be received by the rescue system 130. However, the boat 910 may laterdrift out of range of the cell tower 930 (e.g., outside cell tower range940) and the rescue system 130 may no longer receive locationcoordinates transmitted from the user device 110. If the boat 910 driftswithin a range of a mobile cell tower (e.g., created cell tower of aresponder water vessel), the rescue system 130 may receive additionaldata associated with a location of the user device 110. The rescuesystem 130 may determine whether the additional data indicates thelocation of the user device 110 is within a threshold distance of amobile cell tower of a responder water vessel. Responsive to determiningthe additional location data is within the threshold distance to themobile cell tower of the responder water vessel, the rescue system 130may transmit to the responder device 120 updated location information.The updated location information may be based on the received additionaldata which may comprise transmitted location coordinates of the userdevice 110. The updated location information may be an estimatedlocation based on the received location coordinates of the user device110 and may be additionally based on environmental factors.

Additional Configuration Considerations

Throughout this specification, plural instances may implementcomponents, operations, or structures described as a single instance.Although individual operations of one or more methods are illustratedand described as separate operations, one or more of the individualoperations may be performed concurrently, and nothing requires that theoperations be performed in the order illustrated. Structures andfunctionality presented as separate components in example configurationsmay be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly,structures and functionality presented as a single component may beimplemented as separate components. These and other variations,modifications, additions, and improvements fall within the scope of thesubject matter herein.

Certain embodiments are described herein as including logic or a numberof components, modules, or mechanisms. Modules may constitute eithersoftware modules (e.g., code embodied on a machine-readable medium or ina transmission signal) or hardware modules. A hardware module istangible unit capable of performing certain operations and may beconfigured or arranged in a certain manner. In example embodiments, oneor more computer systems (e.g., a standalone, client or server computersystem) or one or more hardware modules of a computer system (e.g., aprocessor or a group of processors) may be configured by software (e.g.,an application or application portion) as a hardware module thatoperates to perform certain operations as described herein.

In various embodiments, a hardware module may be implementedmechanically or electronically. For example, a hardware module maycomprise dedicated circuitry or logic that is permanently configured(e.g., as a special-purpose processor, such as a field programmable gatearray (FPGA) or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) toperform certain operations. A hardware module may also compriseprogrammable logic or circuitry (e.g., as encompassed within ageneral-purpose processor or other programmable processor) that istemporarily configured by software to perform certain operations. Itwill be appreciated that the decision to implement a hardware modulemechanically, in dedicated and permanently configured circuitry, or intemporarily configured circuitry (e.g., configured by software) may bedriven by cost and time considerations.

Accordingly, the term “hardware module” should be understood toencompass a tangible entity, be that an entity that is physicallyconstructed, permanently configured (e.g., hardwired), or temporarilyconfigured (e.g., programmed) to operate in a certain manner or toperform certain operations described herein. As used herein,“hardware-implemented module” refers to a hardware module. Consideringembodiments in which hardware modules are temporarily configured (e.g.,programmed), each of the hardware modules need not be configured orinstantiated at any one instance in time. For example, where thehardware modules comprise a general-purpose processor configured usingsoftware, the general-purpose processor may be configured as respectivedifferent hardware modules at different times. Software may accordinglyconfigure a processor, for example, to constitute a particular hardwaremodule at one instance of time and to constitute a different hardwaremodule at a different instance of time.

Hardware modules can provide information to, and receive informationfrom, other hardware modules. Accordingly, the described hardwaremodules may be regarded as being communicatively coupled. Where multipleof such hardware modules exist contemporaneously, communications may beachieved through signal transmission (e.g., over appropriate circuitsand buses) that connect the hardware modules. In embodiments in whichmultiple hardware modules are configured or instantiated at differenttimes, communications between such hardware modules may be achieved, forexample, through the storage and retrieval of information in memorystructures to which the multiple hardware modules have access. Forexample, one hardware module may perform an operation and store theoutput of that operation in a memory device to which it iscommunicatively coupled. A further hardware module may then, at a latertime, access the memory device to retrieve and process the storedoutput. Hardware modules may also initiate communications with input oroutput devices, and can operate on a resource (e.g., a collection ofinformation).

The various operations of example methods described herein may beperformed, at least partially, by one or more processors that aretemporarily configured (e.g., by software) or permanently configured toperform the relevant operations. Whether temporarily or permanentlyconfigured, such processors may constitute processor-implemented modulesthat operate to perform one or more operations or functions. The modulesreferred to herein may, in some example embodiments, compriseprocessor-implemented modules.

Similarly, the methods described herein may be at least partiallyprocessor-implemented. For example, at least some of the operations of amethod may be performed by one or processors or processor-implementedhardware modules. The performance of certain of the operations may bedistributed among the one or more processors, not only residing within asingle machine, but deployed across a number of machines. In someexample embodiments, the processor or processors may be located in asingle location (e.g., within a home environment, an office environmentor as a server farm), while in other embodiments the processors may bedistributed across a number of locations.

The one or more processors may also operate to support performance ofthe relevant operations in a “cloud computing” environment or as a“software as a service” (SaaS). For example, at least some of theoperations may be performed by a group of computers (as examples ofmachines including processors), these operations being accessible via anetwork (e.g., the Internet) and via one or more appropriate interfaces(e.g., application program interfaces (APIs).)

The performance of certain of the operations may be distributed amongthe one or more processors, not only residing within a single machine,but deployed across a number of machines. In some example embodiments,the one or more processors or processor-implemented modules may belocated in a single geographic location (e.g., within a homeenvironment, an office environment, or a server farm). In other exampleembodiments, the one or more processors or processor-implemented modulesmay be distributed across a number of geographic locations.

Some portions of this specification are presented in terms of algorithmsor symbolic representations of operations on data stored as bits orbinary digital signals within a machine memory (e.g., a computermemory). These algorithms or symbolic representations are examples oftechniques used by those of ordinary skill in the data processing artsto convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. Asused herein, an “algorithm” is a self-consistent sequence of operationsor similar processing leading to a desired result. In this context,algorithms and operations involve physical manipulation of physicalquantities. Typically, but not necessarily, such quantities may take theform of electrical, magnetic, or optical signals capable of beingstored, accessed, transferred, combined, compared, or otherwisemanipulated by a machine. It is convenient at times, principally forreasons of common usage, to refer to such signals using words such as“data,” “content,” “bits,” “values,” “elements,” “symbols,”“characters,” “terms,” “numbers,” “numerals,” or the like. These words,however, are merely convenient labels and are to be associated withappropriate physical quantities.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, discussions herein using wordssuch as “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,”“presenting,” “displaying,” or the like may refer to actions orprocesses of a machine (e.g., a computer) that manipulates or transformsdata represented as physical (e.g., electronic, magnetic, or optical)quantities within one or more memories (e.g., volatile memory,non-volatile memory, or a combination thereof), registers, or othermachine components that receive, store, transmit, or displayinformation.

As used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment”means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristicdescribed in connection with the embodiment is included in at least oneembodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in variousplaces in the specification are not necessarily all referring to thesame embodiment.

Some embodiments may be described using the expression “coupled” and“connected” along with their derivatives. It should be understood thatthese terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. For example,some embodiments may be described using the term “connected” to indicatethat two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contactwith each other. In another example, some embodiments may be describedusing the term “coupled” to indicate that two or more elements are indirect physical or electrical contact. The term “coupled,” however, mayalso mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with eachother, but yet still co-operate or interact with each other. Theembodiments are not limited in this context.

As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,”“including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, areintended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process,method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is notnecessarily limited to only those elements but may include otherelements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method,article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary,“or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example,a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true(or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or notpresent) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (orpresent).

In addition, use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elementsand components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely forconvenience and to give a general sense of the invention. Thisdescription should be read to include one or at least one and thesingular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meantotherwise.

Upon reading this disclosure, those of skill in the art will appreciatestill additional alternative structural and functional designs for asystem and a process for enabling accurate estimation of a location of awater vessel and/or enabling assignment of a responder unit to a userthrough the disclosed principles herein. Thus, while particularembodiments and applications have been illustrated and described, it isto be understood that the disclosed embodiments are not limited to theprecise construction and components disclosed herein. Variousmodifications, changes and variations, which will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art, may be made in the arrangement, operation anddetails of the method and apparatus disclosed herein without departingfrom the spirit and scope defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for enabling accurate estimation of alocation of a water vessel, the method comprising: transmitting a ShortMessage Service (SMS) message to a user device on the water vessel, theSMS message comprising a selectable option that, when selected, causes alocation of the user device to be shared; based on a selection by a userof the user device of the selectable option, receiving a plurality oflocation coordinates from the user device at a plurality of respectivetimes, each respective location coordinate describing a respectivelocation of the user device at its respective time; computing anestimated location of the water vessel based on the plurality oflocation coordinates and an elapsed time between a current time and atime at which a last-received location coordinate was received; andtransmitting the estimated location to a responder device.
 2. The methodof claim 1, wherein computing the estimated location of the water vesselis further based on one or more environmental factors comprising atleast one of a current speed and direction measurement or a wind speedand direction measurement.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein computingthe estimated location of the water vessel comprises: inputting theplurality of location coordinates and the one or more environmentalfactors into a machine learning model, the machine learning modeltrained to output information corresponding to a projected locationbased on its inputs; and generating the estimated location based on theinformation output by the machine learning model.
 4. The method of claim1, further comprising: computing a future projected location of thewater vessel based on a travel time of a drone to the estimated locationof the water vessel; and transmitting, to the responder device, droneinformation comprising instructions for a drone to go to the futureprojected location of the water vessel and to scan a radius from thefuture projected location of the water vessel to locate the user device.5. The method of claim 4, further comprising: receiving informationindicating a drone has located the user device, the informationcomprising one or more location coordinates of the drone at acorresponding time of locating the user device; and transmitting to theresponder device an updated location coordinate of the user device basedon the one or more location coordinates of the drone at thecorresponding time of locating the user device.
 6. The method of claim1, further comprising: receiving additional data associated with alocation of the user device; determining whether the additional dataindicates the location of the user device is within a threshold distanceof a mobile cell tower of a responder water vessel; and responsive todetermining the additional location data is within the thresholddistance to the mobile cell tower of the responder water vessel,transmitting, to the responder device, updated location information. 7.The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving the plurality of locationcoordinates from the user device is based on the location coordinatesbeing transmitted by the user device responsive to detecting a movementof the water vessel.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving theplurality of location coordinates from the user device is based thelocation coordinates being transmitted by the user device regardless ofwhether an acknowledgement message is received by the user device.
 9. Anon-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions encodedthereon for enabling accurate estimation of a location of a watervessel, the instructions, when executed by one or more processors,causing the one or more processors to perform operations, theinstructions comprising instructions to: transmit a Short MessageService (SMS) message to a user device on the water vessel, the SMSmessage comprising a selectable option that, when selected, causes alocation of the user device to be shared; based on a selection by a userof the user device of the selectable option, receive a plurality oflocation coordinates from the user device at a plurality of respectivetimes, each respective location coordinate describing a respectivelocation of the user device at its respective time; compute an estimatedlocation of the water vessel based on the plurality of locationcoordinates and an elapsed time between a current time and a time atwhich a last-received location coordinate was received; and transmit theestimated location to a responder device.
 10. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the instructions to computean estimated location of the water vessel is further based on one ormore environmental factors comprising at least one of a current speedand direction measurement or a wind speed and direction measurement. 11.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein theinstructions to compute the estimated location further compriseinstructions to: input the plurality of location coordinates and the oneor more environmental factors into a machine learning model, the machinelearning model trained to output information corresponding to aprojected location based on its inputs; and generate the estimatedlocation based on the information output by the machine learning model.12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein theinstructions further comprise instructions to: compute a futureprojected location of the water vessel based on a travel time of a droneto the estimated location of the water vessel; and transmit, to theresponder device, drone information comprising instructions for a droneto go to the future projected location of the water vessel and to scan aradius from the future projected location of the water vessel to locatethe user device.
 13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium ofclaim 12, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions to:receive information indicating a drone has located the user device, theinformation comprising one or more location coordinates of the drone ata corresponding time of locating the user device; and transmit to theresponder device an updated location coordinate of the user device basedon the one or more location coordinates of the drone at thecorresponding time of locating the user device.
 14. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the instructions furthercomprise instructions to: receive additional data associated with alocation of the user device; determine whether the additional dataindicates the location of the user device is within a threshold distanceof a mobile cell tower of a responder water vessel; and responsive todetermining the additional location data is within the thresholddistance to the mobile cell tower of the responder water vessel,transmitting, to the responder device, updated location information. 15.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein theinstructions to receive the plurality of location coordinates from theuser device is based on the location coordinates being transmitted bythe user device responsive to detecting a movement of the water vessel.16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein theinstructions to receive the plurality of location coordinates from theuser device is based the location coordinates being transmitted by theuser device regardless of whether an acknowledgement message is receivedby the user device.
 17. A system for enabling accurate estimation of alocation of a water vessel, the system comprising one or more processorsthat, when executing instructions, are caused to perform operations of:transmitting a Short Message Service (SMS) message to a user device onthe water vessel, the SMS message comprising a selectable option that,when selected, causes a location of the user device to be shared; basedon a selection by a user of the user device of the selectable option,receiving a plurality of location coordinates from the user device at aplurality of respective times, each respective location coordinatedescribing a respective location of the user device at its respectivetime; computing an estimated location of the water vessel based on theplurality of location coordinates and an elapsed time between a currenttime and a time at which a last-received location coordinate wasreceived; and transmitting the estimated location to a responder device.18. The system of claim 17, wherein computing an estimated location ofthe water vessel is further based on one or more environmental factorscomprising at least one of a current speed and direction measurement ora wind speed and direction measurement.
 19. The system of claim 17,wherein the operations further comprise: computing a future projectedlocation of the water vessel based on a travel time of a drone to theestimated location of the water vessel; and transmitting, to theresponder device, drone information comprising instructions for a droneto go to the future projected location of the water vessel and to scan aradius from the future projected location of the water vessel to locatethe user device.
 20. The system of claim 17, wherein the operationsfurther comprise: receiving additional data associated with a locationof the user device; determining whether the additional data indicatesthe location of the user device is within a threshold distance of amobile cell tower of a responder water vessel; and responsive todetermining the additional location data is within the thresholddistance to the mobile cell tower of the responder water vessel,transmitting, to the responder device, updated location information.